February 02nd, 2018

Why did we create this website? What is our plan/goal for this site? How can it benefit you?
GOOD QUESTIONS!!
THe truth is I, Richard Wolfe aka "The Wolfe", have been talking about sharing with the world what I have learned and believe about life for at least 9 years now.  I have shared my thoughts and ideas with my close circle of friends, fellow Toastmasters and co-workers and those I come in contact with here in Lafayette, LA.  As for making time to share these thoughts and ideas with the world, I have been an epic failure in this regard.

TODAY is a new day!! Febuary 2, 2018 begins my new journey to document, create and share with you, the internet world and community, my thoughts, ideas, beliefs, values and my journey over the past 51 years to where I am today.  

My plan is to share via blog, video, audio and pdf downloads the journey to creating an internet training, coaching and speaking business.  The ultimate goal is simple, TO HELP PEOPLE, that's it.  Many years ago, probably 10+, on my Linked In page I posted some of my basic thoughts and stated that my philosophy was "HOW CAN I HELP" and it is truly that simple.  I always want to help others around me.  As i grew up working in the restaurant business I was always serving people.  I first started waiting tables in an all you can eat seafood restuarant in North Carolina where I grew up.  I later moved to Louisiana and worked at a Godfathers Pizza, Western Sizzlin(yes I am dating myself here) then Burger King, Sonic, Applebee's, Raising Canes and O'Charley's.  I worked my way into the management ranks at every company, but ultimately I was serving and helping people.  SO it has just kind of stuck with me.

I have to admit here that I have by no means been perfect in this "HOW CAN I HELP" philosophy.  I did a bad job early on in my marriage of HELPING around the house or at home with the family.  The restuarant business required alot of TIME at the business to ensure things ran well, numbers and profits were under control and that the operation ran the way it was supposed to run.  ALL THAT TOOK TIME.  TIme away from my family, time away from other things I'd rather do, but it was all in an effort to PROVIDE for my family, so "I have to work to pay the bills" was said this ALOT.  No one back in those days taught me anything about balance.  As I look back it was almost like work first and family second, which is what I did for many, many years.

I learned alot in the restuarant business, but it was at the expense of family and marriage.  I was around and fortunate to have an AWESOME WIFE, Julie, to manage the household and raise our 2 children, Amber and Ryan.  Many times when I was home I was tired and would fall asleep.  We did stuff, but looking back now I wish I would have been more intentional and deliberate about that time at home.  We had a few vacations but not alot and their were challenges in the marriage, we actually split up for 1 year, but now we have a great relationship and 2 great children.  Ryan lives in D.C. and Amber here in Louisiana and we have a great family dynamic.  Looking back I could have done better.

This leads to the REAL REASON for my "HOW CAN I HELP" philosophy.  Looking back in time I wish I would have had someone to teach me about developing myself, family and finances. 

I don't say this to put blame on anyone at all.  I was raised by a single Mom and she worked to provide, i would stay with my Grandmother while she worked and we did okay.  I can't give you a bad story about my upbringing because I think it was all pretty average.  Today 31% of children are raised in a home with only 1 parent and of those 79% are women.  Point is it is not uncommon today, even back in 1967 it was around 25%.  So in my opinion I was an average kid raised in an average lower middle class home.  My Mom, Gloria, was and is GREAT.  As I look back she was more of a protector than anything.  She took good care of me with the help of my Grandmother.  There were a few step dads but none that really contributed much except a few more dollars to cover the bills and buy food and a couple of extra presents at Christmas.  They did nothing to teach me life skills, money skills, or even work/career skills.   I am sure Mom and I had conversations but I can't remember anything specific that I have applied.  I learned from books and supervisors I worked with mostly.  Many of the supervisors I worked with I learned what not to do, but there were some good examles as well.

I had several men in my life that I consider Mentors that taught me alot about my career and some about life, but most of my learning came from mistakes, failures and reading books.

There is more to the story but this gives you a quick history until next time.

Next time I'll tell you about when I made the change to get into sales from restuarant management.  That curve was an interesting one.

Ultimately I want to share with the world my beliefs and what I have found to be true about life during my journey thus far.  I wish I would have had someone to tell/teach me a few strategies to shorten my learning curve in my marriage, my finances and my career development specifically leadership.

Simply put if I can help people of any age learn better realtionship/marriage skills, financial and leadership skills then this website and company that I am creating will be a success.  Now if I can help the current Milennial generation learn these same skills then WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!